here's brian moore with the latest. >> before heading off to hawaii to celebrate christmas with the first family, president obama tried to gifb lawmakers something to think about on their own holiday break. >> think about the obligations we have to the people who sent us here. >> nine days before the fiscal cliff and not a creature was stirring in washington. negotiations at an impass. the president says he hopes the holiday spirit will inspire a change of heart. >> everybody can drink some egg nog, have some christmas cookies. >> but republicans say the president's deal is jut too hard to swallow. >> the president's solution of raising tax rates would still be ready as far as the eyes could see. >> john boehner's plan b, raising taxes on americans making more than $1 million a year was scuttled by his fellow republicans. it's dead in the water with senate democrats. the president wants to lock in tax cuts for 98% of americans, but some house republicans refuse to raise taxes on anyone. for a few days though, both sides are setting aside the politics. >> i wish all the american people a b